Monday, September 15, 2014

Brittle hair - causes, treatment and home remedies

Does your hair break easily and looks dull, frizzy and dry? You probably have brittle hair which if ignored can lead to hair loss eventually. But there are tips and tricks which can help you manage this condition yourself. We asked renowned hair and skin expert Dr Jaishree Sharad to tell us more about brittle hair – its causes and ways to manage it.

Why does hair become brittle?

Your hair can turn brittle without you even realising it. Even people who have luscious locks can have brittle hair if they do not take good care of it. According to Dr Sharad, ‘Brittle hair is generally caused by various chemical and physical treatments done to the hair fibre such as excessive curling, dying, or the improper use of other hair straightening products, excessive sun exposure. Because so many environmental and cosmetic factors may be at once, it is difficult to pinpoint one factor as THE CAUSE of hair weathering.’

Tips to reverse this condition

A few dietary changes and DIY tips can help you tackle brittle hair with ease. Lack of certain essential vitamins such as vitamin C, B complex, iron too can result in weak and brittle hair. Since the hair is made of keratin which is a protein, it is vital to feed your hair that to increase its strength. Here’s what Dr Sharad advises:

Avoid blow drying and other heat treatments such as perming or straightening.

Avoid sun exposure or cover hair with a hat or apply hair sunscreen to protect it from harmful rays.

Check your hemoglobin level and if low, take supplements.

DIY hair packs for brittle hair

A simple hair pack which you can make at home is of aloe vera gel and honey. Mix the two in equal proportions and then apply the mixture on your roots and hair and let it stay for 15 minutes. Then rinse hair with plain water or a mild shampoo. Do this twice a week to see results. The gel will make your hair less frizzy and honey will provide the moisture it needs.

Another hair mask which you can make at home is using the yolk of an egg and adding a teaspoon of apple cider vinegar with it. Apply it the same way and leave for 15-20 minutes before washing it off. This will not just strengthen your roots but add a shine too.